An A - Z of Victorian Crime and Culture - F is for...


F is for - Fancy - the brethren of the boxing ring. These were the big money men and gamblers who followed the prize fighters and won or lost huge fortunes on their pugilistic skills. 'The Fancy' feature heavily in my first novel 'Jack Ketch's Puppets'.

F is for - Flash House - a public house frequented by the criminal fraternity. Guess they have never gone away. There were a great many such pubs I frequented as a copper, seeking information or suspects. 

F is for - Flimp - snatching from people's pockets in crowds. Quite interesting that in the modern era, flimping is the term used for Taxi drivers who take their trade from under the noses of the Hackney Carriages or pre-booked pick-ups. The prices can seem like daylight robbery. Perhaps there is a similarity?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some images of The old Borough of Leicester circa the time of 'The Borough Boys'...

Image
The old Borough map circa 1860 Looking towards 'The King & Crown' Inn from St Martins West The original Leicester Infirmary The old Town Hall and Police Station circa 1860s West Bridge as it would have appeared on the night Shepherd & Beddows recovered the first body in 'Jack Ketch's Puppets'                  All images courtesy of - https://www.facebook.com/LeicesterAWalkDownMemoryLane                                        
Read more

The first of my author interviews - Megan Denby - 'A thistle in the mist'.

Image
This series of interviews is a little different to others, as each question was posed to my ‘victims’ on an individual basis, and in many respects, based on previous responses. This provides a very spontaneous, open, honest, and - I hope, interesting insight as to what it takes to become a writer in today’s world of publishing. I have been very deliberate in my choice of ‘first author interview’ to be published. My choice was actually very easy, as the hugely talented Canadian, Megan Denby, author of the wonderful inaugural novel ‘A thistle in the mist’, came to my attention immediately, when, as a ‘newbie’ I engaged within assorted ‘discussion groups’ for writers, looking for inspiration and answers. Megan and I were asking the same questions, in our own, unique ways, at almost identical times. Megan answered some of my questions, and I hope I answered some of Megan’s as helpfully. Megan continues to be one of my staunchest supporters and assists me tr
Read more

The second of my current Author interviews - Mr Chaunce Stanton - a day early, owing to family pressures!

Image
This series of interviews is a little different to others, as each question was posed to my ‘victims’ on an individual basis, and in many respects, based on previous responses. This provides a very spontaneous, open, honest, and - I hope, interesting insight as to what it takes to become a writer in today’s world of publishing. This week’s guest author is a larger-than-life and funny guy, by the name of Chaunce Stanton , from St Paul, Minnesota, USA.                                      Chaunce has one novel already published – ‘Luano’s Luckiest Day’ , and his second novel ‘The Blank Slate Boarding House for Creatives’ will hit the shelves fairly soon.                                                   Chaunce was my second ‘obvious’ pick of authors to interview, as, along with Megan Denby, he was another of the new breed of authors who was posting on the various discussion groups I explored as a newbie, and again, offered more than his fair share of help and adv
Read more